This Bourbon BBQ Sauce is the original BBQ Sauce that we have been using for years. It has a tangy flavour with a little sweetness. With a touch of smokiness, this sauce is perfect for slathering on ribs, chicken, pork butt, and even burgers.
Originally published on January 25, 2021. This post has been updated with newer information on October 1, 2025.
In our opinion, homemade BBQ is always better than store-bought. We have many recipes for BBQ sauce that we make and use, but this one is the one we make the most. We make large batches of this sauce to have on hand for months.
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Ingredients For Bourbon BBQ Sauce
To make this recipe for Bourbon BBQ Sauce, you will need:
- Ketchup.
- Brown sugar.
- Worcestershire sauce.
- Bourbon.
- Garlic.
- Liquid smoke.
- Cayenne pepper.
- Onion powder.
- Paprika.
- Cumin.
- Kosher salt.
- Pepper.
About The Ingredients We Use For This BBQ Sauce Recipe
The quality of the ketchup used is important. We like to use thick ketchup like French’s since there are other liquids added that make the sauce thin, although it will thicken as it simmers. You do want a thick result.
When it comes to the bourbon, we use whatever one we have on hand. We have also had great results using a Canadian whisky in place of the bourbon.
If you like your BBQ sauce with a little heat, you can add hot sauce or finely diced hot peppers to the mixture while it simmers.
This is our original recipe that was created when our kids were young, so we didn’t add heat to it. Now that they are older, we like to add a finely diced jalapeno to the sauce while it simmers.
If a smaller batch of BBQ sauce is what you are looking for, recommend checking out our other BBQ sauces, such as our Apple Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce.
Using Smoke Instead of Liquid Smoke
We omit the liquid smoke when making this sauce on the smoker. Instead, we let the sauce simmer in the smoker and use real wood chunks to add a smoky flavour.
Our favourites are applewood or cherrywood. These two kinds of wood add good flavour to the sauce.
Equipment We Use To Make Bourbon BBQ Sauce
If we were to recommend one piece of equipment for making this sauce, it would be an enamelled cast-iron Dutch oven to cook the sauce in. These types of pots are our favourite because they are great at keeping a consistent heat.
This recipe yields a large batch, making it ideal for canning. We recommend using Bernardin canning jars. If you are new to canning, Bernardin has a great guide on their website.
The recipe for this BBQ sauce is also easy to cut in half, if you would like to make a smaller batch.
Storing Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Bourbon BBQ Sauce can be stored in sealed mason jars for up to 6 months. After opening a jar, make sure to keep it in the fridge and use it within 2 weeks.
When we make this sauce, it never lasts any longer than that because we use so much of it.
Have you tried this BBQ sauce? We would love to hear about how you used this sauce. Leave a comment below to let us know.
Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 liters ketchup
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- â…“ cup Worcestershire Sauce
- â…“ cup bourbon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large, heavy-bottomed pot, and stir to combine.
- Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring often to avoid burning on the bottom, until thickened.
- Pour sauce into clean, sterilized mason jars while sauce is still hot, filling to 1/4 inch from top.
- Cap and seal jars, using water bath method, boiling for 15 minutes, making sure the jars stay covered by about 2 inches of water at all times.
- Let jars sit to cool after removing from the boiling water.
- Check seals to make sure they haven't popped, and twist rings to make sure they are tight.
- Store in a cool dark space for up to 6 months.
- Once a jar is opened, store in the fridge and use within 2 weeks.
